Glass: Tara Hugo Sings Philip Glass

Performer Tara Hugo is a relatively new face on the theatrical and concert stage. An alum of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the American-born singer has already proven a high degree of vocal flexibility, showcasing her prowess in both the popular, dramatic and classical worlds. Receiving an Olivier Award nomination for her turn as Kurt Weill and Bert Brecht’s famous prostitute, Jenny Diver, in the most recent Donmar Warehouse production of "The Threepenny Opera," and appearing on the Leonard Cohen / Philip Glass collaboration musicalizing Cohen’s poetry, "The Book of Longing," has evolved into Hugo recording her own album of Glass’ music, "Tara Hugo Sings Philip Glass."

Produced by longtime Glass producer Kurt Munkacsi, along with Don Christensen and Glass himself, Hugo has created an album of music that can confidently place her in the respected realm of woman who can comfortably execute Glass’ complex rhythms in an accessible manner that will please both minimalist and cabaret fans alike.

The lyrics for the twelve-song collection are primarily from three sources: the poetry from Cohen’s "The Book of Longing," the Coleman Barks’ English translation of Jalaluddin Rumi’s poetry, and Hugo herself, who pens four of the pieces, including the "Feeding Frenzy," with its deceptively challenging, yet highly listenable vocal melody of 21st century, capitalistic coping in a global society. We believe Hugo in whichever character she is portraying, whether the deceptive, unfaithful wife of Cohen’s "The Night of Santiago," or the advantageous reporter in her own "Kabul." Her diction is flawless, piercing the ear of the listener with each syllable’s intent in every song.

The songwriting of Philip Glass acquires an effective new advocate in Tara Hugo, whose masterful interpretation of the composer’s melodies will leave one incomplete pending the next volume of her interpretations.

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